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Message started by Dave on 08/28/17 at 04:39:02

Title: Honda GB500
Post by Dave on 08/28/17 at 04:39:02

Wow....I just found out about this bike. It was sold in the US in 1989 & 1990.

The Honda GB500TT. (Although you may think the TT means Totally Tasty - it really means Tourist Trophy).

I want one - but they evidently are as hard to buy as a nice Kawasaki W650).

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by LANCER on 08/28/17 at 05:42:52

That's a pretty bike !

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Dave on 08/28/17 at 05:57:54

There is one listed on ebay........$5,000.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-Honda-GB500-/282623461913?hash=item41cdabca19:g:cSIAAOSwlhpZg3dF&vxp=mtr

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 08/28/17 at 06:16:50

I've been following that bike for many years. They always bring big bucks. Those that bought them back in the day knew exactly what they were getting and why it was special - as a result they are looking for a good ROI.

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by zipidachimp on 08/28/17 at 11:28:55

One cylinder, 2 exhausts, didn't sell due to price. Nice bike though! 8-)

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Kris01 on 08/28/17 at 19:04:04

So, how does that work? 2 exhaust ports?

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by MMRanch on 08/28/17 at 19:45:03

Dave , it ain't as pretty as the bike ya got , but I still think ya need one of them ! ;)

Life is short , if ya really want one of them you shouldn't wait till ya can't ride it to get it ! ;)

Better get two of them , one for Debbie too.

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Ruttly on 08/28/17 at 20:13:03

I think it's the best looking Honda made ! They were pricey when new , I'm sure it was also a small/limited quantity imported , not every dealer had them. But the price is what kept buyers away. I almost bought one , loan approved , I changed my mind , What a dumba$$ ! Saw one with 62 miles on it , it was perfect , guy wanted $9000. I would have paid $6000 but he wouldn't do it. Way cooler than the FT500, the GB500 has Classy Timeless look , still kickin myself. Maybe someday I can redeem myself to the motorcycle GODS !

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by MMRanch on 08/28/17 at 21:12:11

Hay Dave ...

For the same money you could have a new :
::)

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by zipidachimp on 08/28/17 at 21:47:23

Honda singles have always been more 'honest' in that with 2 exhaust valves, they design 2 exhaust ports/pipes ! We make do with one! A while back, a local guy always wiped the field roadracing with a honda XR dirtbike engine. That sucker was fast!!! 8-)

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Dave on 08/29/17 at 07:10:58

180A180A07141B161D550 wrote:

Dave , it ain't as pretty as the bike ya got , but I still think ya need one of them ! ;)

I am not likely to become a collector - it is too late in my life, I don't have the resources or room, and most collector bikes are expensive. I am currently in the mode where I have my Savage Cafe' for fun in the curves and when I want a "showy" bike, the Honda NT700 Sport Touring bike that Deb and I can ride double......and the little Ninja 250 is available as my "rat" fun bike. The Suzuki Cafe' will be with me for the rest of my life.......the NT700 will be with me until it just gets too heavy for me - and I will be working a Savage as a "standard" bike that I can ride on tours and ride into my Geezerdom years.

And.......the Honda NT700 and/or Ninja 250 might go away if I find a really affordable BMW R1200RT sport touring bike for riding double or a really affordable BMW R1200RS for riding solo. (for some reason I really want to own a BMW once in my life).

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by old.indian on 08/29/17 at 07:26:39

517677776F7A030 wrote:

Been There..Done That...Still Kicking Myself Too :-[

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Dave on 08/29/17 at 12:46:26

This is a little off topic perhaps - but I have been watching this BMW F800 ST. The Honda dealer has had this in their used inventory for a couple years - it is always sitting outside (rain or shine), and the price keeps getting lower and lower. All the reports I have read on this bike is that it is a great mid-sized sport touring bike, and the seating position is good for all but extensive touring.....500 mile days are uncomfortable on it. As much time as this bike has been sitting outside, I wouldn't doubt that corrosion and a bit of sun fade would be evident on this bike. The thing that keeps me from buying it - is that even a dealer can't a used one!

http://www.hondaofflorence.com/s/search/inventory/usage/Used/

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Armen on 08/30/17 at 03:15:52

I remember being at the local Honda dealer when they came out in the late 80s. It was the same year Honda introduced the 600 Hurricane. And the bikes were basically the same price (around $4k). The marketing dweebs must have decided that there were lots of grey beards with money just dying for a Brit inspired big single. So, for the same price as a 4 cylinder, triple disc, twin cam 4 valve, mag wheel, etc supersport, you could have a single cam 500 single with primitive suspension and brakes.
Guess the outcome?
By the early 90s the salesman at the shop was offering me one new in the crate for $2300, which was approximately $2300 more than I had in those dark days.
There were some cool articles on hotting them up. The 650 motor or top end from another model could be transplanted, etc.
Fast forward to a few years ago when I was thinking about a big single project. People were asking (and getting) upwards of $8K for one in decent shape! And it would still be a 'kit' bike-suspension, brakes, motor, etc needed work. And it's a dry sump motor, so it would be harder to make minimalist.
Hence me gravitation to a Savage. My basic pile of parts was free. With that starting point, I could justify spending thousands on all the right stuff. Although the motors start out pretty gutless, it seems possible to get them in the mid-30 HP range (or even more). The belt drive is very appealing, as is the wet sump.
My 'Genre Reassignment Surgery' continues, as the bike morphs into a cafe racer.
It'll prob be lighter than the GB could be, and fast enough.
True, the GB is one of the prettiest bikes ever, but unless someone gave me one, I'd end up in the $12K+ range by the time I was done tweaking it (given the selling price for the basic bike). Which is a bit out of control.

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by zipidachimp on 08/30/17 at 03:28:57

Another Honda that didn't sell and is still available NOS is the Shadow RS, $4000 for a brand new '13. Looks way better than the other swayback shadows! 8-)

Title: Re: Honda GB500
Post by Ruttly on 09/02/17 at 17:08:32

Well let's hope the offerings from the new BSA company are something worth while and unique.